Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem Tribute to Syyeda Fatima Zahra (S.A) on the Auspicious date of her Birth The date of birth of Lady Fatima Zahra (S.A.) is 20th of Jamaadil-Aakhir. This year it will fall on Sunday, 14th of June. It is celebrated as a day of Eid by the followers of Ahlul Bayt. She was in fact a heavenly lady that arrived on earth to illuminate the path to piety, virtue and Godliness. On this day, besides celebrations, charity, fasting, special Duas and special Salaat are recommended. (Please refer to Mafaatih-al-Jinaan, The Prayer s Almanac ) Names and titles of Fatima (s.a.) It is related that Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (a.s) said: Fatima has nine names that are near (to) Allah swt, they are: Fatima, As-Siddiqah (the honest), Al-Mubarakah (the blessed one), At-Tahirah (virtuous), Az-Zakiyah (the chaste), Ar-Radhiyah (who is satisfied), Al- Mardhiah (who will be satisfied), Al-Muhaddatah (to whom angels speak) and Az-Zahra (the Splendid) Muslims of all schools recognize the exalted status of Hadhrat Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&p). She held a central place in the family of the Prophet and played a pivotal role in the establishment of Islam. This is evident from the famous Hadith-e-Kisa, when Angel Gabriel asked Allah as to who were the souls under the blanket that earned such high praises of the Lord. The answer was, They are the people of the house of prophecy and treasurers of My Messengership, and they are Fatima, her father, her husband, and her sons. It is to be noted that the only name mentioned was that of Fatima (S.A.). Presented here are some traditions regarding Hadhrat Fatima (S.A.), reported in the books of Ahl-e-Sunnah-wal-Jamaat and by Shia sources. Miswar ibn Makhramah reported Allah s messenger (pbuh&p) as saying: Fatima is part of me. He, in fact tortures me who tortures her. (Sahih Muslim Vol. IV, Chapter MVII, Merits of Fatima) Fatima is the chief of the women of Paradise. (Sahih-Al-Bukhari Vol. V, chapter 29, The Merits of Fatima) "Fatima is a human Houri, whenever I long for paradise I kiss her." (Tareekh Baghdad by Khateeb Baghdadi: v.5, p.86) Anas ibn Malik's mother is reported to have said: "Fatima was like a moon on its full night or the sun covered with no clouds. She was of fair complexion with a touch of rose color on her face, her hair was black, and she had the beautiful features of the Messenger of Allah." (Mustadrak al- Hakim: v.3, p. 161)
It is reported that Aisha (r.a.) said: "I have not seen a person more similar to the Prophet's appearance, conduct, guidance, and speech, whether sitting or standing, than Fatima. When she enters, the Messenger of Allah stands up, kisses and welcomes her, then takes her hand and asks her to sit in his place." (Tirmadhi and Ibn Abdurabbeh in Eqd al-farid: v.2, p.3.) Ali (a.s.) is reported to have heard the Prophet (pbuh&p) say this to Fatima (s.a.) "Surely Allah is angered when you are angered, and He is pleased at your pleasure." (Mustadrak al-hakim: v.3, p.154., Tadhkirat al-bast: p.175., Maqtal al- Khawarazmi: v.1, p.54., Kefayat At-Talib: p.219., Kanz al-umal: v.7, p.111., Sawiq: p.105) The Prophet (pbuh&p) was also reported to have said to Fatima while holding her hand: "He, who knows this, knows her, and he who does not know her; she is part of me, she is my heart and my spirit which is in my side, thus he who harms her harms me." (Al-Fusul al-muhammad: p.150., Nuzhat Al-Majalis: v.2, p.228., Nur al-absar: p.45) He was also reported to have said: "Fatima is part of me; whoever annoys her annoys me and whoever harms her harms me." (Sahih al-bukhari, Muslim, Tirmadhi, Musnad Ahmad: v.4, p. 328., Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.35) "Fatima is part of me; he who angers her angers me." (Sahih al-bukhari, Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.35) "The best of your men is Ali Ibn Abu Talib, and the best of your women is Fatima Bint Muhammad." (Tareekh Baghdad: v.4, p.392) Aisha (r.a) is reported to have said: "(I declare) by Allah that I have not seen anyone more beloved to Allah's Messenger than Ali, or a woman on earth more beloved to him than his wife (Ali's wife, Fatima)." (Mustadrak al-hakim: v.3, p.154, Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.29) Burayda and Ubay were reported to have said: "The most beloved to the Messenger of Allah from among women is Fatima, and from among men is Ali. (Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.29, Mustadrak al-hakim: v.3, p.115) Juma ibn Umayr said: "I entered Ali's house with my aunt, when I inquired as to who was the most beloved of all people to Allah's Messenger. She said, Fatima. Then she was asked: And from among men? She said: her husband; ever since I met him he has been fasting and praying." (Jame' At-Tirmadhi: v.2, p.227, other collective books) 2
Love of the Prophet (pbuh&p) for Fatima (s.a.) The Prophet loved Fatima not only because she was his daughter, but also, because of her high spiritual status and her nearness to Allah (S.W.T.) Aisha bint Talha quoted Aisha bint Abu Bakr as saying: "I have not seen anyone more similar to the Messenger in speech and dialogue than Fatima. Whenever she entered the house, he would greet her, kiss her hands and ask her to sit near him. Likewise, when he entered the house, she would greet him, kiss his hands..." Khawarizmi wrote in his book Maqtal al-hussain that Hudhayfa said: "The Messenger of Allah used to kiss Fatima all over her face before he went to sleep." Ibn Umar said: "Once the Prophet kissed Fatima's head and said: `May your father be your sacrifice; stay as you are. " According to Dhakhear al-uqbi, Aisha said: "Once the Messenger of Allah kissed Fatima's throat, so I said, Messenger of Allah, You have done something which you have not done before! The Prophet answered, Aisha, whenever I long for Paradise, I kiss Fatima's throat. " The Messenger of Allah (pbuh&p) said: "The best of the women of Paradise are: Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, Asiyah Bint Muzahim (Pharaoh's wife), and Mariam bint Imran mother of Jesus "The best of the women of the world are four: Maryam Bint Imran, Asia Bint Muzahim, Khadija Bint Khowailid, and Fatima Bint Muhammad." (These two narrations have been reported in Musnad Ahmad v.2, p.293) Hakim Nishapouri reported in his book Mustadrak that the Prophet said to Fatima: "Is it not satisfying to you to be the mistress of the women of the world, this Ummah, and the believing women?" The above presentation was but a small sample of traditions regarding the merits of Hadhrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) Allah (S.W.T.) has revealed verses of the Qur an in praise of the family of the Prophet (pbuh&p). Four historical quotes from the Qur an are listed below: But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and our near people (ourselves) and your near people 3
(yourselves), then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. (Chapter 3, v. 61) In the ninth year of Hijra, a Christian delegation came to Prophet Muhammad seeking clarification about the status of Prophet Jesus. They refused to accept the Prophet s position that Jesus was not the Son of God. Allah revealed the above verse. The Prophet (pbuh&p) took Fatima (s.a.) to represent all the believing women. He also took Ali, Hasan, and Husayn. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanliness from you, O people of the house, and to purify you a (thorough) purification. (Chapter 33, v. 33) The circumstances of the revelation of this verse are documented in the famous Hadithe- Kisa referenced above. Briefly, the Prophet, Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn (peace be upon them) were assembled under the prophet s blanket in the house of Fatima. Allah sent Angel Gabriel with this verse, testifying to the purity of these exalted personalities. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it (my toils), but love for (my) near relatives (Chapter 42, v. 23) It has been agreed by all schools of Islam that the individuals referred to here as relatives or kin (Qurbaa in Arabic), were none other than Fatima, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn (peace be upon them). Allah commands showing love and affection to these individuals. And they give food out of love for Him, to the poor and the orphan and the captive. (Chapter 76, v. 8) Chapter 76 of the Qur an Ad-Dahr. It was revealed in praise of Fatima, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn (peace be upon them all). They had made a vow to fast for three consecutive days to fulfill a vow. At iftaar time, each evening a needy person knocked at their door asking for food. They gave away what little food they had for themselves to the needy and broke the fast with water only. They endured three days of hunger for the sake of Allah. Allah was so pleased with them that the Chapter 76 was revealed to honor them. Her teachings and Duas are many. One short Dua appealed to this presenter as very meaningful. O Allah, bestow rewards on my parents and on all those who have a right on me because of their favors on me. O Allah, grant me leisure (time) and respite to accomplish the tasks for which You have created me; let me not become overly busy in my (worldly) tasks; do not punish me when I repent and ask for forgiveness. Do not withhold from me that, for which I beseech You. (Ref. Ayan-ush-shia, At-tabaul-jadeed, part 1, page 323) 4
Conclusion: Fatima (A) held a pivotal place in the family of the Prophet (S). She had the distinction of: being the daughter of the most beloved Prophet (S) of Allah swt; the wife of the First Imam who was the purified one, and the only one to bear the title of Amir-ul-Mu'mineen; the mother of two Imams who are the leaders of the youth of paradise. She is the one from whose progeny 11 Infallible Imams came. She herself was purified and infallible, gifted with divine knowledge, bestowed with wisdom, reasoning, intellect and Grace. The Tasbih (of Allah) formula was a gift to her by Allah swt through His Prophet (pbuh&p), the recitation of which is a source of forgiveness, mercy and reward for Muslims. It is our belief that she will have the privilege of Intercession on the Day of Judgment for those who love her, send salutations upon her, and adhere to the teachings of the fourteen Infallibles. No woman comes close to her exalted status. Let us pray to Allah swt that may we be among those who earn the intercession of Hadhrat Fatima az-zahra (s.a.) on the Day of Judgment. Aameen. Presented by Syed H. Akhtar Austin, Texas June 2009 Dua a Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Allaahumma Innee As-aluka bi-haqqi Faatimata O Allah, I ask You for the sake of Fatima wa Abeehaa, wa Ba lihaa, wa Baneehaa, and her father, and her husband, and her sons was-sirril-mustawda i-feehaa. And the secret entrusted in her. An-tusalliya Alaa Muhammadin (w) wa Aali Muhammad. That You send blessings upon Muhammad and The family of Muhammad Wa an-taf- ala bee maa Anta Ahluh, And do with me what is worthy of You, walaa taf al bee maa Ana Ahluh. And do not do with me what I deserve. (The End) 5